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Hollen adds Jim Bray to softball staff

The Lewis & Clark graduate and former Pioneers assistant comes to George Fox after four years at Transylvania University

George Fox University softball coach has expanded her staff, announcing last week that she has hired former Lewis & Clark assistant Jim Bray as an assistant.

"Jim is someone we were excited about bringing on to our team," coach Jessica Hollen said. "He has a unique approach to his coaching style and is an excellent recruiter."

Bray comes to George Fox from Transylvania University, where he served as an assistant coach for the baseball and women's basketball teams for the past four years.

Bray got his start in college coaching at his alma mater, Lewis & Clark, serving as an assistant baseball coach under Tom Flynn for four seasons.

Before coaching, Bray was a two-year letter winner and captain for the Pioneers, driving in 40 career RBIs and hitting 10 home runs. He started 57 games for the Pioneers, playing mainly as an infielder.

During his coaching career at Lewis & Clark, Bray was a recruiter, infielder coach, third base coach and a hitting coach for the baseball team, according to a press release.

His work with infielders in 2014 led to a reduction in errors by nearly a third of the previous year's total, and a 45-percent increase in double plays from the previous season. As a recruiter, Bray helped bring in 20 players from nine different states over the course of two cycles.

Prior to Lewis & Clark, Bray spent two seasons playing baseball at Clackamas Community College. Bray split time at the infield positions before finding a home at first base during his second year in the program.

In his sophomore year, Bray was named second-team NWAACC All-South Region first baseman, batting .280 with a perfect fielding percentage. He was also recognized for his academics, being named to the NWAAC All- Academic team while graduating with an associate's degree.

In addition to his coaching at Lewis & Clark College, Bray coached summer baseball for the Lake Oswego Junior Baseball Organization (LOJBO) for four years, making the state championships twice. He ran the LOJBO hitting league, while also working as an instructor for Nike, Under Armour Top 96, Trosky Baseball, NW Star Baseball Academy and Stanford Baseball Camps.

Bray also served as an assistant coach with the Transylvania women's basketball team under Juli Fulks, whom he also worked under as an assistant at Lewis & Clark.

Bray will also serve as the director of game management for the men's and women's soccer programs.

As a student, Bray interned in the Lewis & Clark athletics department as an assistant to the sports information director. He also served as the head assistant to the Lewis & Clark facilities manager.

Bray graduated from Lewis & Clark with a bachelor's degree in economics in 2010.

"We are thrilled to bring Jim into the Bruin family," GFU director of athletics Adam Puckett said. "Jim brings a lot of energy and experience, and will no doubt make an immediate impact on our softball program."